An alleged cricket bat attacker has been denied bail after an elderly man was left concussed in a brutal daylight attack in Mentone on Monday.
CCTV footage captured the moment a 75-year-old man was bashed with a cricket bat before good Samaritans wrestled his alleged attacker to the ground in a daylight attack in Mentone.
The man confronted 30-year-old Damien Adams, who police allege was stealing from a donation bin outside a Salvation Army op shop on Florence St about 6pm.
He was denied bail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Footage showed Mr Adams lifting the bat above his shoulder before walking towards the 75-year-old, who raises his hands in an attempt to protect himself.
The pair appear to exchange words before the bat-wielding man swings at the elderly man, bashing him across the body several times as he struggles to fend off the attack.
Police allege the 30-year-old then threatened the elderly man and demanded he hand over his phone.
A court heard Mr Adams admits to yelling at the elderly man to stop taking photos of him with his phone, but denied asking him to give his phone up.
The 75-year-old was left lying on his back on the footpath, appearing to be in pain, as the accused stood over him.
Two men saw the elderly man on the ground and rushed over.
The pair managed to wrestle the cricket bat away from the accused before walking him down the road.
A fight then broke out, with one of the good Samaritans grabbing the bat and hitting the alleged offender several times before the pair grappled with each other.
Police said the two men held the 30-year-old until officers arrived and arrested him.
Mr Adams was subsequently charged with attempted armed robbery, assault and affray.
The 75-year-old man was taken to hospital on Monday night with non-life-threatening injuries.
He was discharged on Tuesday and was found to have been concussed by the attack. Mr Adams had his bid for bail denied on Tuesday as the court heard this was his second alleged attack in less than six months.
On March 10 at Highett Station, it is alleged he attacked a disabled elderly man after the pair got into an altercation when Mr Adams’ dog was barking at him.
Mr Adams’ allegedly blamed the man for making his dog angry before grabbing him by the shirt collar and punching him in the head multiple times.
That man also suffered a concussion.
Police strongly opposed Mr Adams’ bail due to the risk of him committing further harm to members of the public, as well as four outstanding warrants he had at the time of Monday’s arrest.
They related to previously failing to answer bail and possessing drugs.
On Tuesday, a note was left on the Salvos’ window thanking the two men and others who stepped in to help.
“To the beautiful, strong, good Samaritans, who saved a life on Monday, and those who helped, thank you. Thank you so much,” the letter read.
Suha Sahil, owner of Think Sew across the street from the scene, said she was too afraid to confront people she saw going through the Salvos’ donation bins.
“I get scared if I go say something to them, they’re going to come and knock me down. Especially at that time, nobody’s around this street. No one,” she said.
“I’ve been here 15 years. I’ve seen so many times here that people got attacked.”
“Many, many years ago, when I was here, times were much better than today. Every day it gets worse.”
Mr Adams will reappear before a court for a committal mention on November 23.